Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, has been creating model villages for rural tourism in recent years, which are expected to improve the rural environment and increase villagers' incomes.

More than 40 varieties of fruit trees grow in Guoyuan village, Huiping town, and pear trees covering over 700 mu (46.67 hectares) have recently ripened.

"Loquats and melons in the village are so sweet, that's why my friends and I come here every year," said a Shanghai visitor.

Visitors pick loquats in Guoyuan village in Qidong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Due to the success of the fruit industry, homestays are also being developed in Guoyuan village. "We received over 100 visitors at our homestay just during the flowering period in May," said Shen Hui, a local villager.

Binhai village in Haifu town started to build itself a resort area next to the Yellow Sea in 2012 and has become a good place for tourists to relax around the Yangtze River Delta region. Visitors are able to fish, pick clams, and take part in water activities. 

The village is home to more than 100 households specializing in fishing, making fresh seafood and agricultural products its most attractive tourist feature. 

Fang Fei Xiao Zhu is a high-end homestay developed in Shuhai village, Hezuo town, integrating accommodation, catering, fruit-picking and fishing. It has more than 97 greenhouses for strawberry cultivation and a 500-mu green vegetable planting base.

The planting base is cooperating with a Shanghai vegetable wholesale market to provide fresh vegetables every week.